Capping Week

Of the five main events in Capping Week, it is possible to give unqualified approval to only one, the Undergraduates' Supper, an entertainment enjoyed by everyone who went. The speeches were good, the interjections amusing and appropriate, and Mr. Gamble had acquitted himself gallantly with the catering.

The Extravaganza, readers will find reviewed elsewhere. However much we may admire the initiative which prompted its writing and the hard work which went to its production, we are forced to admit that it was far beneath the standard required for a successful Extrav. Of the procession we may say that, like the curate's egg, it was good in parts. No apology is needed for using this stale joke in connection with the procession, for nine-tenths of the humour was as stale and distinctly less clear. An honourable exception might be made in favour of Lord and Lady Baden Powell and retainers, but for the most part the procession served only to discredit the student body still further in the eyes of the Wellington public. Might not next years' procession be held as an organised collection for charities, as is regularly done in most English or Scotch Universities and might it not take the form of a circus or some other connected stunt? At present the attitude of the ordinary citizen towards the student is fast changing from one of good-humoured toleration to something much less good-humoured and much less tolerant. We fear that a poor Extrav., the methods used to advertise it, and a feeble procession have done little to improve these relations. The Capping Ceremony was unfortunately abandoned owing to a disagreement between the Executive and the College Council as regards outside speakers. Instead, the Executive held a Congratulation Ceremony in the Town Hall for graduates, with Dr. J. S. Elliott as principal speaker. Comment would be superfluous on a ceremony so well patronised by students. Last, but not, as Aristotle remarked, least, came the Capping Ball. Always enjoyable, this function was marred by some exceptional mismanagement on the part of those controlling it. First-sitting supper tickets were distributed in such plentiful supplies that some of the staff and many graduates were unable to obtain seats at the first sitting, and had to find their supper elsewhere. Furthermore, owing to the late arrival of the programmes, the dances started an hour behind schedule, with the result that at 4.30 a.m. the sixteenth dance was just completed and the remaining two on the programme had to be abandoned.

Combined Dance—Saturday, June 20th, at 8 p.m. 5/- and 3/-.